Ellis Austin Green 1936-2021

Ellis Austin Green, 85, long time Arizona resident, went home to be with his Savior on Friday, July 23, 2021. Ellis was born on March 28, 1936 in Howell, Kentucky to Robert C. Green and Pauline Lowry (Caldwell) Green. He graduated from high school at the age of 16 and entered the Marines at the age of 17. He later graduated from the University of Kentucky with a B.S. in Dairy Manufacturing. He met and married his beloved wife Barbara in June of 1961 and they were blessed with six children.

Ellis’ life was marked by serving others, continuing the legacy of kindness and caring he had received from his father and mother. This legacy was expanded in his mid-30’s when he had a transformational encounter with Jesus Christ which took him out of his familiar surroundings, deep Kentucky roots, and close-knit family to follow a calling to a people and place that would become etched in his heart. When Ellis moved far away from his Kentucky family and loved ones, he never imagined that God would knit him into a new community and that the Navajo people would become an extension of his family. He and Barbara were privileged to be co-laborers in the work God was accomplishing in local churches and families.

Ellis was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara, and is survived by his children: John Green, Julianne (Webb) Stewart, Paul (Cherry) Green, Amy Green, Matthew Green and Rebecca Green; his seven grandchildren: Ryan Green, Rachel Green, Weslee Green, Abigail (Calvin) Robertson, Nathan Green, Blythe Green, and Chloe Stewart; and his beloved brothers Bob (Ann) Green and Henry (Angie) Green. Ellis was also preceded in death by his parents and his sister Pauline (Green) Barker.

Ellis will be laid to rest at the Arizona Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery at Camp Navajo outside of Flagstaff, AZ, in a private family ceremony. A public memorial service will be held for both Ellis and his dear wife Barbara in Page, AZ, at a later date.